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Shabbat Shalom Feb. 14, 2014

I’ve now have been in Israel for about a week. To remind you, I wrote this email and next week’s Shabbat message before I departed. With minimal access to a computer, and to avoid breaking my tradition of never missing an opportunity each Friday to reach out and wish you Shabbat Shalom, I always pre-write emails before traveling.

So, there will be no updates on this week’s news, opinions on politics or Shout Outs.

But since I’m in our Homeland, how about some facts about our Jewish Sanctuary. (Webster’s definition: a place where someone or something is protected or given shelter.) Israel is our safe place. IF it had been established two decades earlier (than 1948), our global population today would be twice as large. Protection is essential but not the only reason it exists. We have ties to the land dating back thousands of years. It was the home of our ancestors. “Next year in Jerusalem” is our mantra. I hope all of you (who don’t live here) have an opportunity to visit Israel with your families.

Now, here are some interesting facts about Israel:
1. Israeli babies are 10 less likely to have peanut allergies as they are given Bamba (a peanut snack) in their early years. I’m not a fan of the Bamba taste, but lots of Israeli kids are.
2. Israel (one of only two countries) started this century with a net GAIN of trees. Other countries really need to stop de-forestation.
3. Approx. 1 Million notes are left each year at the Kotel (Western Wall) and cleaned out before Rosh HaShana and Passover.
4. The most number of Chess Grandmasters (per capita) is in Beer Sheva.
5. Israeli stamps use kosher glue.
6. Microsoft has more employees in Israel (per capita) then anywhere else in the world.
7. Over 500 million migrating birds fly over Israel each year.
8. There are 273 Kibbutzim (communes) in Israel. Hannan and I met on one.
9. More than 90% of Israeli homes use solar power to heat their water.
10. Israel was the first country to ban Underweight Models.
11. The Mount of Olives in Jerusalem is the oldest continuously used cemetery.
12. After the US and Canada, Israel has the 3rd largest number of companies list on the NASDAQ.

Wishing you and your family a Sweet, Tasty and Peaceful Shabbat Shalom,

Lisa

Yum… Falafel

And to quench your thirst, here is the lasted on the Sodastream Saga. Several journalist from all over the world and many aligned with the BDS movement, descended on the factory for a fact-finding mission. Here’s what they found:

Please join us at the Forgotten Harvest 22nd annual comedy night with guest star Tim Allen. Hannan and I are honored to co-chairing the event (with a great committee) and your support would be truly appreciated. Tickets range from $15 to $150.

In case you missed this from last week, the property of Camp Sea-Gull was recently bought by the township and soon will converted into a park. Those responsible for the property have reached out to see if Sea-Gull Alum might want to have a reunion at camp this summer before any changes are made to it. Many Alum are on this email list so please reply back if you are interested in this idea.